Squirrels cause three power outages in two days in Montana city

UPI
Northwestern Energy said three power outages over the course of two days in Missoula, Mont., were caused by squirrels. File Photo by Park Ranger W. Leggett/National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Utility officials in a Montana city said squirrels were responsible for three separate power outages over the course of two days.

Northwestern Energy said about 14,500 customers were without power for 45 minutes on Saturday when a squirrel damaged equipment at a substation.

Further outages were reported Sunday morning and Sunday evening.

The utility company said its investigation into the Sunday outages revealed they were also caused by squirrels tampering with equipment.